Wait, what?
Luke 1:26-38
26In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37For no word from God will ever fail.”
38“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Questions to ponder in your heart:
What do you do when you get life-altering news? Are you able to listen to God in the midst of it?
When you are tempted to take control of a chaotic turn of events, how can you slow down and let God lead you through it?
Do you have a grateful heart because you are highly favored by God - that He has revealed Himself to you?
How does the recognition that you are highly favored impact how you treat life circumstances?
How full (or empty) is your faith bank? Have you made regular deposits through prayer, Bible study, regular worship etc.?
What ways can you plant the seed of faith in the next generations of your family? Church? Community?
TODAY’S PREACHER
Lori Bultemeier